J.W.Anderson x Uniqlo Is Here (and It’s Very Good)

Menswear god Christophe Lemaire is a hard act to follow, but when Uniqlo announced that cult-loved Irish designer Jonathan Anderson would be next in line to design a one-off collection for the retailer back in March, menswear nerds (and the savvy guys who keep an eye on their moves) got a little bit breathless about it.

For one, Anderson's own label, J.W.Anderson, has produced some serious menswear grail over the past few seasons—but the stuff isn't cheap. Fans of the brand who aren't exactly able to drop $670 on a sweater (see: a good chunk of Anderson's young, stylish fan base) will now be able to get a piece of the action. For another, Anderson is known for his kooky, crazy, and colorful pieces while Uniqlo is known for its minimalist, office-friendly wears. It doesn't take a fashion expert to realize that bringing the two brands together would result in clothes that are wearable but exciting, too.

And that they are. The 33-piece collection is inspired by Anderson's British heritage and features all the good, classic menswear patterns—herringbone, tartan, tweed, collegiate stripes—in colors that are far from basic. The cuts are equally un-stuffy. Workwear staples like carpenter pants and quilted jackets mix with slightly more polished broadcloth shirting, trousers, and trench coats to form a wardrobe that is "smart," as the Brits say, and highly functional. Small design details also amp up the utility. The collection's overcoats are all reversible, for instance, and the scarves are made from Uniqlo's signature "Heattech" fabric, which is built for sub-zero conditions.

Here's what pieces we're putting our money on when the collection drops on Uniqlo's website at 9 P.M. EST tonight. If you live in a fashion-friendly locale, you can also shop the collection in select Uniqlo flagships starting tomorrow. For a complete list of participating stores, and more photos of the collection, visit uniqlo.com/jwanderson.